2011

Southwest cold snap — ERCOT load shedding

A February 2011 cold snap triggered ERCOT load shedding affecting 3.2 million customers and gas curtailments across the Southwest. FERC and NERC winterization recommendations went largely unimplemented—foreshadowing Uri in 2021.

Electricity Natural Gas

Historical era

Shale gas & renewable buildout (2005–2019)

Shale drilling expanded gas supply; wind and solar capacity grew sharply even as coal peaked.

Nearby on the timeline

Sources